LIFE IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS: Partnership Brings $28 Million Cherokee Nation Facility to MidAmerica
10/22/2025
Cherokee Nation officials have opened a nearly $28 million facility in MidAmerica Industrial Park to house two childcare programs — Child Development and Early Head Start.
The 38,000-square-foot building includes 15 classrooms, two kitchens, a FEMA-rated safe room, secure entrances, a small gross motor skills room and nature-themed playgrounds. The center has the capacity to serve 150 children across the two programs.
The building is partially funded from the Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act, named after Early Childhood Unit Director Verna Thompson, which provides $80 million in funding to support the replacement of early childhood education Head Start centers across the Cherokee Nation. Thompson said this facility is history repeating itself.
“In 1992, we started partnering together at the Children’s Village (in Tahlequah). Childcare was one side; Head Start on the other. There was no Early Head Start at the time. So, this is history repeating itself that we get to brainstorm and start over again and get to work together and see what else we can do,” Thompson said.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said investing in early childhood education and childcare means that the tribe and the communities they serve are optimistic about the future.
“It means they care about the future. It means that the people that are leading the community, the state, the nation believe that investing in young people and the generation coming up is the way to strengthen the nation,” Hoskin said.
Pryor Child Development Center Manager Marsha White manages 53 staff members who are currently caring for 50 children. The CDC section opened in June and has the capacity to serve up to 130 children.
“It’s just amazing to be able to have this center for our families and our community,” White said. “We have state-of-the-art equipment. We have a wonderful research-based curriculum that our teachers are using (and) implementing with the children.”
Human Services Executive Director Jennifer Kirby praised the tribe for implementing initiatives that impact early childhood education and childcare for Cherokee families and children.
“With the addition of new childcare centers, implementing strategies for recruitment and retention of childcare professionals, they’ve encouraged higher education opportunities and professional development for our childcare staff. They’ve created more job opportunities in our communities, and they’ve supported the avenues to promote quality childcare, such as childcare subsidy, licensing and resource and referral. All of these help our childcare providers,” Kirby said.
MidAmerica Industrial Park CAO David Stewart said the facility is a significant milestone for the community and its partnership with the Cherokee Nation.
“The facility was born from a powerful partnership between MidAmerica and the Cherokee Nation. It’s more than just a building, it’s a symbol of what we can accomplish when we work together for a shared purpose and vision,” Stewart said.